John Bearoff – Self-Harm, Suicide and Depression in the Schools

Outline

Today’s Mental Health Issues in our Classrooms

• Prevalence of depression, self-harm and suicide
• The first line of defense: Role of teacher & school
• Confidentiality & sharing of information
• A collaborative approach

Depression: Identify and Reach At-Risk Students

• Telltale and hidden warning signs
• Key factors determining susceptibility, vulnerability and recovery
  • Emotional reserve
  • Emotional resiliency
• Creative strategies to reach at-risk students
  • Sorry 7 & Super 7
  • Activities to enhance connection
  • Techniques to increase engagement
• Classroom & school-wide accommodations

Self-Harm: Develop a Protocol for Handling the Silent School Epidemic

• Modes of self-harm: Similarities and differences
• Understanding the “why” of self-harm
• Protective factors & risk factors
• The interconnected role of addiction, self-harm & suicide
• Approaching and connecting with the student
• Strategies to support the at-risk student
  • Techniques to engage the disengaged
  • Methods to build coping skills
• Notifying and engaging the parents

Create a Suicide Crisis Team: Guidelines to Recognize and Respond to Suicidal Behaviors

• Recognizing the underlying reasons
• Risk factors: Low/medium/high level of risk
• Imminent warning signs – the strongest predictors
• What to do when you suspect or hear of ideation
• Approaching and connecting with the student
• Strategies to:
  • Address and respond to ideation
  • Cope with a suicide attempt
  • Mobilize staff
• Notifying and engaging the parents
• Is suicide contagious?

Prevention Toolkit: A Guide to Help Prevent Depression, Self-Harm and Suicide

• The role of Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) in preventing depression, self-harm and suicide
• A collaborative, strategic approach to integrate SEL into the curriculum
  • Empower students
  • Promote connection
• Case example: Effective K-12 SEL approach to prevention

After Suicide: Postvention Plans for Schools

• Short-term strategies
• Long-term, school-wide interventions
• Minimizing risk of self-harm & suicide contagion
• Case example: Successful postvention plans